Device for correcting the shape of an ear

ABSTRACT

A device for correcting deformations of an ear or auricle, in particular extreme protrusion or closeness of the auricle to the head, is presented. The device provides an aesthetic means for eliminating defects of the external part of an ear, i.e. the auricle. The device includes elements for attaching to a user&#39;s auricle and elements for attaching to a user&#39;s head. Elements can be arranged on various sections of the auricle, allowing correction of different defects and providing an increased number of support points. Several variants of the device are proposed. Attachable elements have adhesive surfaces, and provides for the possibility of forming various gaps between all of the elements. The elements are formed from a plastic material, preferably silicone, and the surfaces of the elements for attaching to the head and auricle of the user have a biologically compatible adhesive coating, to which protective elements are applied.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to devices for correcting the deformations of an ear or an auricle, in particular excessive protrusion or proximity of an auricle to a head. The disclosure further relates to an aesthetic tool for eliminating the defects in the outer part of an ear, i.e. an auricle, using a gentle correction.

BACKGROUND

For aesthetic reasons it can be desirable to correct either excessive protrusion, or excessive proximity of ears to a head.

Today, the aesthetic appearance of ears is an issue of high importance. Cosmetic surgery is one of methods of improvements. One of the most common surgical interventions among children and adults is otoplasty, or ear surgery, by means of which the ear defects such as “loppy ears”, excessive protrusion of ears from a head (otapostasis), or excessive proximity of ears to a head are corrected.

The surgical operation is especially common to correct the first of the named defects. However, there may be the cases when a surgical operation is impossible for economic or other reasons, therefore other types of simpler correction remedies or systems are used.

Patented remedies for ear correction without surgery are known. In the patent EP No1202686, published on Aug. 5, 2002, a device for non-invasive correction in the area of the external ear is described which comprises a flat device with an adhesive for gluing strips in the form of a fold in the auricle area along a zone that is to be corrected with residue deformation. The device is recommended for the correction of ears of infants during the first few weeks after birth.

This device is not 100% suitable for obtaining the correction result, because it does not involve a sufficiently reliable fixation with a long fastening in the problem zones of an auricle, that is related to the size of thin strips, their joining and the use of adhesive elements on them. These problems can be the result of either the type of glue used, or the insufficient distribution of stress on the surfaces with the named glue.

An “aesthetic corrector” is known, which is described in the patent EP No2100574, published on Sep. 16, 2009. An aesthetic corrector is claimed which is intended for correcting the deformations of an ear or an auricle, in particular the excessive protrusion or proximity of ears to a head, and essentially consists of two elements: one for application to a user's ear and another to user's head. In the claimed device, the elements are three-dimensional and of such a thickness that, when they are used, a specified separation of an ear and a head is achieved. The aesthetic corrector essentially consists of a flexible or an elastic three-dimensional element of considerable thickness, mounted in such a way as to separate an ear to a certain extent, which has been established by specialists at the level of about one centimeter.

The thickness of the claimed corrector allows separating an ear from a head at a suitable distance in case a patient suffers from excessive protrusion and in case of excessive proximity. This thickness can be further changed, depending on each particular case, as well as the distribution of the applied area, that is, either to the same extent in both parts of the corrector, or to a greater extent in one of them, depending on the features of each case, user preferences, etc. In addition, the named thickness, together with the elasticity property, contributes to obtaining a suitable adhesiveness of both parts of the corrector due to a more uniform stress distribution, preventing the named parts from partial or complete separation or peeling off the skin, providing a correct and also uniform fixation.

However, the design proposed in this device has drawbacks in view of the impossibility of more accurate distribution of the element on the problem areas of an auricle and keeping the fixation for the necessary time, since it has one surface of application to an auricle of the same size with an element for application to a head. In this case, a premature separation of various parts of the element applied to an auricle is possible, due to the fact that there are only two points of support with only one surface of application on an ear.

In the case of long-term use of this model, which is integral with a large area of application to an auricle, and also to a head, infections can occur on the closed human skin, bacteria accumulate.

SUMMARY

An object of the invention is provide a device for correcting the shape of an ear which ensures the strength of the device's structure, which provides a more comfortable and reliable fixation on a user's ear of the elements attached thereto, with the possibility of providing of open skin areas.

The technical result is achieved by the implementation of separate elements of application to an auricle with their smaller application area, the possibility of placing these elements in different areas of an auricle, which allows for the correction of various defects. This ensures an increase in the number of support points.

An exemplary first version of a device for correcting the shape of an ear comprises 3D elements with outer flat surfaces that are applied to a user's ear and head and a joining element made of a plastic material, preferably silicone. The joining element provides a gap between the auricle and the user's head. All outer surfaces of the 3D elements preferably have a rounded shape and are made with a biocompatible adhesive coating which is covered with a protective elements before attachment of the device. Contrary to known devices the present device comprises at least one element for application to the user's head and at least two separate elements for application to the user's auricle. Preferably, the total area of the elements applied to the auricle does not exceed the total area of the element applied to the head. The joining element is Y-shaped, the base of which is on the convex part of the element intended to be applied to a head, and the ends of each branch are joined with the convex part of the respective element intended for application to a user's auricle.

The elements for application to a user's auricle may be made slightly different from each other in order to make it easier to apply outer surfaces commensurate with the contact areas of user's auricle.

In this version of the device for correcting the shape of an ear all 3D elements are preferably made in the form of spherical segments. It is also possible to implement these elements in the form of a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid.

An exemplary second version of the device for correcting the shape of an ear comprises 3D elements with outer flat surfaces for applying to user's ear and head. An intermediate part provides a joint between the three-dimensional elements and the possibility of forming a gap between the user's ear and the user's head. All the constituent elements of the device are made of plastic material, preferably silicone. All outer surfaces of the three-dimensional elements are preferably rounded and are made with a biocompatible adhesive coating which is covered with protective elements before attachment of the device. Contrary to known devices the present device comprises at least one element for application to the user's head and at least two separate elements for application to the user's auricle. Preferably, the total area of the elements applied to the auricle does not exceed the total area of the element applied to the head. The intermediate part provides separate joints of each element for application to the auricle with the element for application to the head.

In this second version of the device all 3D elements are preferably made in the form of spherical segments. It is also possible to implement these elements in the form of a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid.

The joining elements are cylindrical, the length and the thickness of which provides the necessary gap between 3D elements for application to the user, holding and stretching this gap to create the necessary position of the device.

The elements for application to the auricle are preferably of the same shape and size.

An exemplary third version of the device uses one element for application to a user's head and several elements (more than two) for application to a user's auricle. Each of the elements attached to the auricle is joined with the element for application to the head by means of joining elements. The joining elements are preferably of a cylindrical small shape, with the possibility of forming the gaps between all the elements. The elements are made of a plastic material, preferably silicone. The surface of the elements for application to the user's head and auricle are made with a biologically compatible adhesive coating which are covered by protective elements before attachment of the device to the user.

In this version of the device, the number of elements for application to the auricle is preferably three or four, depending on the size and defects of user's ear. All elements, except joining ones, are three-dimensional in the form of spherical segments.

An exemplary fourth version of the device comprises at least two elements for application to a user's head and several elements for application to a user's auricle, the number of which depends on the features of the user's auricle and the need to correct specific defects. All elements are interconnected by means of a joining element having a central part from which the branches pass to each element intended for application to the user. The joining element provides the possibility of forming various gaps between all the elements. All elements are made of plastic material, preferably silicone. The surface of the elements for application to the user's head and the user's auricle are made with a biocompatible adhesive coating and covered with protective elements before attachment of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a first version of a device for correcting the shape of an ear.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view A-A of the device as in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a second version of a device for correcting the shape of an ear.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device as in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a third version of a device for correcting the shape of an ear.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative third version of a device for correcting the shape of an.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a fourth version of a device for correcting the shape of an ear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A preferred version of the device for correcting the shape of an ear has two elements for application to a user's head and three elements for application to the user's auricle connected by a joining element. All the elements, except for the joining element, are three-dimensional shape in the form of spherical segments. This preferred version of the device has been found the most successful.

The preferred version of the device for correcting the shape of an ear provides at least three points of support when placed on a user. An ear is fixed in several dimensions at once. The structural strength of this version is apparent. The gluing of at least two surfaces to an auricle ensures the reliability of the device's attachment. If any of applied parts of the application came loose, the remaining parts of the device remain applied.

In view of the fact that the device has at least three points of support, the degree of adhesion of the glue or glue composition is significantly increased, because all the points of support of the device for correcting the shape of the ear experience less stress. The resistance to separation is differentiated by the points of support, thereby increasing the strength of the structure itself when it is used.

The possibility to glue several surfaces at different distances from each other to an auricle forms a stronger bending of an auricle cartilage, thereby creating the possibility of correcting, for example, of ears of a child under 9 years much faster than previously known.

According to the patent EP No2100574 (the product “Otostik”), it is possible to fix an auricle cartilage and to bend it only on a section of the silicone corrector contact along the circumference.

The disclosed versions of the ear corrector using several bases provide the fixing, and also bending of the cartilage on a larger section, since there are several points of support that are attached to an auricle.

For gluing, a biocompatible hypoallergenic adhesive is used the thin layer of which is applied to all contact surfaces and protected in an inoperable state by a thin protective film that can be easily removed before applying the corrector to user's head and auricle.

The offered versions of the ear corrector provide wider correction possibilities related to the correction of various defects, due to the use of at least two elements for gluing to an auricle, which can be separated from each other or got closer, makes it possible to make the ear more pressed and vice versa, that is especially important in especially complex cases of defectiveness.

The drawings show different exemplary versions of the device for correcting the shape of an ear.

FIG. 1 shows a first version of the device for correcting the shape of an ear viewed from the outer surfaces of the elements for application to an auricle, where 1-1 is an element for application to a user's head, 2-1 and 3-1 are elements for application to an auricle, and 4 is a joining element.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the device in the section A-A, designated in FIG. 1. It shows the tridimensionality of the elements 1-1, 2-1 and 3-1, which are made in the form of spherical segments. The joining element 4 has a Y-shape, the base of which is located on the top of the element 1-1.

FIG. 3 shows a second version of the device for correcting the shape of an ear viewed from the side of the outer surfaces of the elements for application to an auricle. It has the functional elements similar to the first version: 1-2—for application to a head, 2-2 and 3-2—for application to an auricle.

FIG. 4 shows the second version of the device in a turned position where the joining element 5 is shown which is bifurcated and its parts separately connect each element for application to an ear 2-2 and 3-2 with an element for application to a head 1-2.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, all outer surfaces are made in the form of planes with rounded outlines that are approximately oval or with small depressions along a part of the outline (FIG. 3). Such forms are pre-determined by the convenience of use, they are associated with the specific constitution of the human head and auricle.

The features of designs are also associated with the use of corrector for people of different ages, including infants.

FIG. 5 is a general view of a third version of the device, where 1-3 is an element for application to user's head. Elements 6, 7 and 8 designate the respective elements for application to an auricle. Elements 9, 10 and 11 designate the joining elements for joining each element 6, 7 and 8, respectively, with the element 1-3.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative third version of the device for correcting the shape of an ear in which four elements intended for application to an auricle are joined with a head application element 1-4, designated in the drawing as 12, 13, 14 and 15, each of which is joined with the element 1-4, respectively, by means of the separate joining elements 16, 17, 18 and 19.

FIG. 7 is a general view of a fourth version of the device for correcting the shape of an ear with two elements 20 and 21 for application to a head and three elements 22, 23 and 24 for application to an auricle. All these elements are integrated by a joining element 25.

All outer surfaces of 3D elements intended for application to a user have an adhesive coating with protective films (not shown in the drawings) that have very small thicknesses.

The drawings show the most convenient types of designs of the device for correcting the shape of an ear. In general, the number of elements for application to a head or an auricle can be varied for the purpose of more convenient and necessary correction of a specific ear defect.

As it has been already mentioned above, the basic principle embodied in the offered versions of the device for correcting the shape of an ear provides more reliable fixation and more comfortable principle of defect correction with efficient obtaining of the necessary result of correction.

The device for correcting the shape of an ear according to the described versions is to be made of plastic materials, among which silicone, used for medical purposes, is the most suitable. Silicone can be transparent, colorless or slightly colored, for example, in a flesh color without violating the properties, including with keeping of hypoallergenic properties.

It is convenient to manufacture the device with observance of the known technologies for silicone products. In this context it is possible to produce the elements of various sizes and shapes, depending on the specific purpose and age of a user. 

1.-12. (canceled)
 13. A device for correcting the shape of an ear, comprising: a 3D element having a flat outer surface covered with a biocompatible adhesive coating for attachment to a user's head and a convex inner surface; two separate 3D elements having flat outer surfaces covered with a biocompatible adhesive coating for attachment to the user's auricle and convex inner surfaces; and a Y-shaped joining element connecting the inner surface of the 3D element for attachment to the user's head at a bottom thereof with the inner surfaces of the two separate 3D elements for attachment to the user's auricle at top branches thereof, wherein the Y-shaped joining element defines a gap between the user's ear and the user's head, and wherein the adhesive coatings of the 3D elements are covered by removable protective elements.
 14. The device as in claim 13, wherein a total area of the two flat outer surfaces of the 3D elements for attachment to the user's auricle does not exceed the area of the flat outer surface of the 3D element for attachment the user's head.
 15. The device as in claim 13, wherein the two separate 3D elements for attachment to the user's auricle have different sizes, thereby allowing easy application of their outer surfaces to different size contact areas of the user's auricle.
 16. The device as in claim 13, wherein all 3D elements are implemented as spherical segments.
 17. A device for correcting the shape of an ear, comprising: a 3D element having a flat outer surface covered with a biocompatible adhesive coating for attachment to a user's head; at least two separate 3D elements having flat outer surfaces covered with a biocompatible adhesive coating for attachment to the user's auricle; and an intermediate part connecting each of the at least two 3D elements for attachment to the user's auricle separately to the 3D element for attachment to the user's head, wherein the intermediate part defines a gap between the user's ear and the user's head, and wherein the adhesive coatings of the 3D elements are covered by removable protective elements.
 18. The device as in claim 17, wherein a total area of the flat outer surfaces of the at least two 3D elements for attachment to the user's auricle does not exceed the area of the flat outer surface of the 3D element for attachment the user's head.
 19. The device as in claim 17, wherein all 3D elements are implemented as spherical segments.
 20. The device as in claim 17, wherein the at least two separate 3D elements for attachment to the user's auricle have the same shape and size.
 21. A device for correcting the shape of an ear, comprising: one element having an outer surface covered with a biocompatible adhesive coating for attachment to a user's head; a plurality of elements having outer surfaces covered with a biocompatible adhesive coating for attachment to the user's auricle; and joining elements connecting each of the plurality of elements for attachment to the user's auricle to the one element for attachment to the user's head, wherein the joining elements define a gap between the user's ear and the user's head, and wherein the adhesive coatings of the elements are covered by removable protective elements.
 22. The device as in claim 21, wherein the joining elements have a cylindrical shape.
 23. The device as in claim 21, wherein a number of elements for attachment to the user's auricle is three or four, depending on the size and the features of user's ear.
 24. The device as in claim 21, wherein all elements, except for joining elements, are designed as 3D spherical segments.
 25. A device for correcting the shape of an ear, comprising: at least two element having an outer surface covered with a biocompatible adhesive coating for attachment to a user's head; a plurality of elements having outer surfaces covered with a biocompatible adhesive coating for attachment to the user's auricle; and a joining element interconnecting all of the elements for attachment, the joining element having a central part from which branches extend to each element for attachment, wherein the joining element defines various gaps between the elements for attachment, and wherein the adhesive coatings of the elements are covered by removable protective elements.
 26. The device as in claim 25, comprising two elements for attachment to the user's head and three elements for attachment to the user's auricle.
 27. The device as in claim 25, wherein all elements, except for the joining element, are designed as 3D spherical segments. 